As a Dean supporter, I am beginning to feel for Clark supporters.

[Cascadian]

Hey Clark fans. Ever get the feeling that Kerry was already annointed as the nominee by the DNC and mainstream media? That's how I am feeling right now. Is this Democracy?


John

[adadem]

1. Now you know

what it felt like to be a Kerry supporter back in Sept thru December.
The American voter has spoken.

[clarknyc]

7. "The American voter has spoken."

No, a part of 15% or so of the American voters have spoken. Nothing more.

[Closer]

2. I know, I'm beginning

to wish the two would team up already just to say "fuck you" to the establishment. I seriously get sick on my stomach at the thought of Kerry being the nominee.

[Burma Jones]

6. You know....

There are some decent Republicans out there that would join along too..Warren Rudman comes to mind. McCain, if he wants his integrity back.

[Democrats unite]

9. If thats all you feel be lucky!

It's been giving me nightmares!

[AbbeyRoad]

3. Thanks for the sympathy, Cascadian

I get that feeling, and it makes me feel extremely frustrated.

[Burma Jones]

4. It is Democracy, of a sort.

I'm a Clarkie. If people pay attention to the media and let them annoint someone, then that's what the people do. I kinda feel like a McCain supporter in 2000, just watching how gullible, or lazy, people are about hopping on some sort of "bandwagon" I don't hold this against Kerry or his supporters either. I am definitely ABB, so if Kerry's the man, I'm fully behind him. But, it's kind of disappointing to see someone like Kucinich or Dean treated the way they've been. As far as Clark is concerned, I guess you have to have built a base over a year or so to get seriously considered. I feel lousy about it, but Clark goofed by waiting so long it seems.

[Dookus]

5. No, I don't get that feeling

as a long-time Clark fan. I think Kerry won some primaries, got some attention and he's winning.

yes, this is democracy. Kerry's winning based on votes.

[Nashyra]

11. I think that the Democratic Leadership

annointed Kerry because if the candidate was Dean or Clark they were also in jepoardy, if either one of these guys became President business as usual would be over. "Clark and Dean would turn DC upside down and the money falling out of the politicians pockets would go back to the American people" Can't have that can we?

[eleny]

8. I'm a Clark supporter and feel strongly that

he should have gotten into the race much earlier. Look how well he's matured as a candidate. He's hitting his stride. He's a very powerful asset to the Dem Party and should be supported by the Party to a high degree.

I want to see him as president. If it doesn't happen, he will drive the ticket to victory as vice presidential candidate. He would make a trememndous Secy of Defense - what a contrast to the Dr. Strangelove we've got now. He would make a fantastic Secy of State - contrast again to the liar in there now.

Given how strong Clark would be in so many positions - he's perfect for the presidency.

[wndycty]

10. Well thanks but. . .

. . .the difference between when Dean was annointed and when Kerry was annointed is that at least Kerry won votes. I am still all Clark all the time, but at least Kerry has votes that somewhat justify his standing. I wish Clark was getting a fairer shake in the media but if Kerry wins the votes he deserves them.

[bain_sidhe]

15. Timing is everything...

. . .the difference between when Dean was annointed and when Kerry was annointed is that at least Kerry won votes.

Because Dean was annointed before anybody could actually act on his popularity. Kerry was annointed when people could epxress it with their votes. Do you seriously doubt that if any primaries had been held when Dean was "riding high" that he wouldn't have won them by wide margins? Don't forget, the "takedown" started in late Dec/early Jan. Just in time for the "white knight" to ride into Iowa on his a honkin' big horse called "Rassmann".

[Eloriel]

24. Dean's won a lot of votes -- he came in strong seconds in

Washington, Michigan and Maine.

He's picked up delegates and is the 2nd largest delegate holder.

Some may not like that fact, but it's the truth -- and that was exactly the plan. In fact, he's done VERY well for not having bought ANY air time in WA and MI.

[Ilsa]

12. Thanks for your empathy.

My husband is shaking his head and saying, "It's over." Really depressing because we have so much further to go in the primaries. People in other states need to be almost whipped into a frenzy by great debates and meeting the candidates. I really feel the majority of the electorate is denied this democratic opportunity by the media's permature-nominations.

[BeyondGeography]

13. Yeah, both of our guys are screwed, but

they still have a lot to contribute. As long as they're candidates, they still get airtime. Dean and Clark both did a great job on Wolfie today. As much as the media keeps asking them how long they have to live, their little programs are far more interesting with Dean and Clark still around.

[For PaisAn]

14. Every day

I get the feeling that this is a done deal courtesy of the media & the DNC. It's not democracy and it sucks. They have anointed Kerry and wish we'd all go home. I don't think so!

[maxr4clark]

16. Thanks for your sympathy.

It is really annoying that we are serving up Kerry, who voted for the war, for the Patriot Act, and against supplying the troops with the support they needed to survive against Bush.

I am deeply concerned that Kerry will lose to Bush. The head-to-head polls mean nothing; Bush and Kerry are not running against each other yet. What accomplishments does Kerry have to point to in order to sway voters to his side? Dean balanced the budget in Vermont, even when he wasn't required to. That was impressive. Clark fought a war for humanitarian reasons, won it, and won the peace afterwards; now that part of the world is not at war. That was impressive.

Why should anyone vote for Kerry, other than that his name isn't George W. Bush? Polls clearly show that 47% support Bush, 47% support ABB, and the other 7% will decide the election. Does anyone think those 7%, who don't think Bush's war or economy are that bad, think that they will vote for Kerry, who is still reliving the Vietnam War? What has he accomplished SINCE the Vietnam War that suggests he would be a better leader than the incumbent? At least the swing voter knows what they will get with Bush: tax cuts and a very Republican agenda. What does the swing voter know they will get with Kerry: a long discussion of whether gay marriage or civil union is the right way to give the GLBT community equal rights, which most of the swing voters probably don't think is a good idea anyway?

Get ready for four more years of Bush.

[Anwen]

17. This doesn't feel like Democracy.

I feel like this Kerry thing is a done deal even with only 15% of America's vote. Kerry's popularity and momentum has snowballed thanks in part to the "fair and balanced" media (I used to think Fox was really bad, but all of the networks seem to have caught up to their, er, standards).

Dean is getting crushed by the media, while Clark is basically invisible. It is not fair, and makes me sick. I'm afraid I won't even get a chance to vote for Dean on Super Tuesday because they are literally bullying the "losing" candidates to drop out.

I really wish Dean and Clark would combine forces -- together I think they would be unstoppable!

[cthrumatrix]

18. the "call" was made for Kerry...it's as clear as can be...the media gets

in line...and nothing changes...watch.

[Old and In the Way]

19. If by "annoited" you mean, that voters prefer Kerry to the other

candidates, I think the results bear this out.

Why not claim that every Kerry voter has a microchip installed in their brain and the DNC (or the RNC for that matter) turned it on in December? Sad that so many here will blame Democratic voters for exercising their right to vote for the candidate that resonates with their values and qualities that they look for in a President.

[cajun4clark]

20. Kerry annointed his own losing ass in Iowa

and saved his miserable campaign by writing himself a big fat check. Not democracy. Hell, that flies in the face of campaign finance reform. Things would be mighty different now if Kerry weren't wealthy. But his checkbook won't save him in the GE.

[LiberalBushFan]

21. and if he wins the early donations get to pay off his debt

instead of going against Bush.

[John_H]

22. Obviously the DNC wanted Kerry all along, but the media is far more

shameless in annointing him the undisputed champeeeen.

The DNC goes with whoever has the most juice at the DNC, natch.
But the media wants a guy with whom they can create clean "difference" memes--NE vs. South, Librul vs. Conservative. Professorial vs. Regular Joe, etc.

Since the only thing on earth lazier than my old bloodhound is a television reporter, the love affair first w/ Dean and now with Kerry is perfectly predictable. The other guys are just less easy to contrast.

[Bonobo]

23. It's democracy. And it's not surprising either...

If the American people were intelligent, discerning voters, would Prince Chimp have even gotten CLOSE to the Presidency?

[Crunchy Frog]

25. Yep

I pretty much feel that this entire primary is being orchestrated by the corporate media. I really hate what they did to the Dean people, building him up for months and then ripping the rug out from under them.

I also am really pissed at the DNC. They should not have front loaded the primaries the way they did. That doesn't allow for any settling of momentum or any opportunity for the voters to take a critical look at the candidates, it just lets someone coast to the nomination on the basis of momentum from Iowa and NH. I think it's significant that last time we nominated someone who was actually electable, he lost the first 9 primaries. The DNC just doesn't seem capable of learning anything from history.

They also shouldn't have let the Repuke controlled corporate media run the debates. That's just another opportunity to let the Republicans choose our candidate for us. Really smart move.

I think the DNC would rather lose the election with a "safe" candidate, then win. I'm disgusted enough that I'm ready to leave the party if they blow it this November.